Flipz

...expecting Sandy to Smite Docken from heaen in 3...2...1...

"I'll target Aura A, using Darkness Magic, again from the Back Row. Other than that, though, I think we'd all be fine repeating last Round's actions, agreed?"

Wow, seriously? I've felt that about all of Quest 38!

They're slow because they have to stop every ten minutes for Pretzel to preach at the rest of the party.

Gosh, it's like "Where's Waldo" in Q44!

Cronk blesses us all with his presence. Actually, he needs a unique artifact for that: Mantle of Cronk (suitable for Cronk only): SP: 2, Grants Blessed-effect to user and up to two allies.

Nice one, Flare! You've combined two of Doc's mechanics to excellent effect there--I'd like to see more Quests like that.

"Take the angel's advice, Cronk. We'll be fine, and in better shape for the next battle." Arthur watches his allies' movements, and, remembering that the Angel is immune to magic, switches back to Aura B. OOC: Zeph, could you clarify whether or not attacking the angel while the auras are still alive will drain the Angel's ether? And can you clarify how casting a spell through the Acerpusculum Blade/Shuriken works (i.e. which WP is used)? "Haldor, how will this Battle Order do?" Suggested Battle Order: Cronk does nothing Tensi Cysogdion (physical attack), Front Row, Angel Arthur Darkness spell, back row, Aura B Alexis Bow (physical attack), Back Row, Angel Sasha does nothing Haldor Conditional action: if Alexis is hurt, heal her; otherwise, heal the ally with the lowest health, Back Row? Alexis Bow (physical attack), Back Row, Angel "I suggest your action this way so that Alexis will be safe if she happens to take damage. Thoughts, leader?"

"I just thought of something. Brunt's cursed crown will lay a Curse on the first enemy I strike this battle. If I can strike the Angel rather than the auras, It'll slowly lose health while we whittle away at the Auras. Can one of you switch to an aura?" Arthur shifts his target to the angel, still from the Back Row.

*Thinks of plans for second character* I THOROUGHLY second this.

I believe I have found the preferred Expert Class of my second character. (*Is tempted to rename said character "Buffy" to match, but knows that would mess up too many other references* )

"Cronk, you are a Paladin of Ennoc. This angel seems somehow...purer...than the other creatures we fought. More devoted to true Light. Perhaps you could use your Diplomatic way to convince it to let us be?" Arthur waits to see if Cronk's Diplomacy is successful, but in case it fails, he flicks the blade into its Shurken form and prepares to Cast a Darkness Spell from the Back Row at Aura B, channeling the magic through the Acerpusculum Shuriken. OOC: Couple questiohns: 1. Which WP is used for spells on the Acerpusculum blade, out of curiosity? And 2. Will attacking the Angel drain its Ether, or will the damage just be redirected to the Auras? Actually, which Aura will it redirect to, Aura A or Aura B? EDIT: If attacking the Angel will NOT drain its Ether, then I'd suggest Alexis attack the Angel to prevent its Free Hit, Tensi can use Cysogdion to attack Aura B, and Arthur will use his Scroll of Frailty on Aura B from the Back Row.

I just realized, currently I'm the ONLY Sorcerer in Heroica... I also find it interesting that two of the most "offensive"-type Knights in Heroica decided to become Paladins. Also interesting is that the only Cleric who's really showed any interest in Paladin-hood has been Etzel's character (where DID Maurice go, anyway? ).

OK, new rule: every time Elgar commands a Hero who is out of Ether to use an Ether-based action, he takes a Free Hit. From said Hero.

^^What Pie said. And yeah, it is scarily good. Though it goes completely against the Sorcerer class, we want the battle to go longer, so we can roll more SHIELDs. Also, I really want to thank Zeph again for letting me hijack post WALLSOFTEXTANDPHOTOS in his Quest. It's been a TON of fun exploring Arthur's past, and by pinning some of this stuff down, I'm able to take further steps to plan for the future. I have one more "major" event to photograph and build, and then I have two "teaser" mini-segments to do right at the end of the Quest (one of which I'll need help to build, as I have none of the parts needed to build this particular character ). It's also interesting to see how parallel Arthur's story is with Wren's, especially for things that neither Zeph nor I have revealed in our conversations--clearly we both need to get our mental shields examined.

Arthur speaks, shortly, almost after the manner of Triad and her kin. "Thank you. I will use it well. May your recovery be swift and complete." Arthur takes the blade and gives it an experimental flick, learning its heft and balance. At last, he feels confident and well-equipped with this new tool. Arthur turns to Sasha and Alexis. "Here, each of you take one of these potions. If Cronk, Haldor, and I all fall, you can at least heal yourselves." After a long while of intense silence, Arthur was compelled to speak once more. "Sasha," he began, "Just what are your people's beliefs on Chaos? And where are you from? Your people are not known to the Zut'tau'ri--unless prhaps that information was destroyed in the Purge--but what you've said so far has matched the old ways quite closely. I am...curious to learn more."

Hey Zeph, your post double-posted.

Doc, if you want to run across a certain character so you're not COMPLETELY alone in there, PM me, I'm sure we can work something out.

OOC: I would, but I have class in ten minutes. Thus why Arthur is temporarily mute. Also, If I don't do so before we hit the campfire scene, remind me to photograph and PM you the "end of Quest" scenes, as it's important they get intro'd BEFORE Arthur gets back to the Hall.

Arthur stands mutely before Triad, offering both his hand and a Potion to the unfamiliar being. OOC: Are all Acerpusculum female, or was Triad referred to as female earlier and I just missed it?

Both are visible, yes. The first bit was a story that Arthur told Sasha, but the rest of the party overheard it. In the second one, the first part is a direct, visual vision, while in the second part you can see both Arthur and Caroline, but no more; they're figures in a murky black mist. (Yes, it's an excuse for still not having pictures. ) And yes, both of those moments are directly connected in time. I really meant to add a few more lines referencing that to the beginning of the Q31 rehash ( ), but I just ran out of time. I needed to get it out, and yet the Financial Aid office was about to close, so I just stitched them loosely together and submitted. I'll pay for that later, I'll have to do a Caroline-Vaygas scene at some point just to explain some of the minor plot holes, but that works for the best anyways, as it gives me a chance to foreshadow a couple of things BEFORE they explode directly into the Hall. So, quick recap of what we know so far: Oh, and not that it particularly matters, but all this happened the day before Arthur's birthday. >_<

Arthur, too, joins in the digging, a grave silence befalling him. He had been wrong; the beast WAS Wren's. But hers from long ago, not from the present. Arthur turns to Haldor, apology in his eyes. "It appears that I, too, lost persective. I do not know if a Phoenix Essence would offer Triad hope at this point, I will trust to your judgement." With that, Arthur spoke no more, his mind clouded with the ghosts of the past... A pink petal floated on the breeze. Impulsively, Arthur reached for it, and suddenly a second vision blossomed within the party members's minds... --- "♪ I'm sayin' all the things that I know you'll like, makin' good conversation...♫" *KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK* There is a sound of keys jangling in the door. "Hmm?" "Artie! You're home!" "Hi, Caroline." "So how was work?" "It was...hard..." "Is Uncle Coe working you too hard again? Because I swear, if he tries to interfere in my personal business one more time--" "Caroline..." "Hmm?" "It wasn't Coe." "...oh." "It's been seven years." "Seven years since...?" "Seen years ago today, my father walked into my room, gave me a hug goodbye, and hasn't been seen since." "Oh, my Z--oh my gods. Oh, Arthur, I'm so sorry--" *waves it off* "It's all right. My father's reputation hasn't exactly been celebrated since his disappearance...especially by your folks. I wouldn't expect you to--" "Your father was good to me, back when we were all little. He and my parents might have had their fights, but remembering the day he left is the least I can do. We'll stop by the Gate tonight with a fresh boquet of nightlillies, he liked those, didn't he?" "...thanks, Caroline. You're right, he always kept some in his garden. We should visit Mom, too, I'm sure she'll let us pick a few then. I worry about her, you know. It was bad enough when that witch...you know. Ever since Dad left, she's seemed so...sad. Not even her work with the Guard seems to cheer her up. And just the other day the girls said--" "That sounds great. But Arthur, I want you to think about you. You spend so much time working for others...worrying about others...taking care of others. You waste all your energy. It'd be SO much better for you if you just worried about you." Arthur shakes his head amusedly. "Caroline." The past Arthur gazes into Caroline's eyes, his voice full of emotion. "I love you, Caroline." "I love you too, Arthur." The pair hold hands for several seconds, content merely to stare into each others' eyes. Caroline breaks the silence. "Artie...we have a couple of hours...maybe we could--" The sound of the door opening repeats itself, and Caroline jumps back suddenly. "Arthur? Caroline? Hey, where are you two?" "Oh, there you are! Hey Arthur, long time since we've both been in the apartment at the same time, eh?" "Indeed." Caroline's tone is one of uncharacteristic annoyance. "Mind if I just drop my stuff in here? It's been a long day." "Actually--" "It's fine, I can take it to your room later." "Thanks, Arthur, I'm bushed. Twenty hours on-shift will do that to you." "Twenty hours??? Boy, your dad sure is harsh." "You've got to be, when you're Captain of the Guard. How's life in the mines?" "Same old same old. Someone found a Diamond, but it wasn't even in my division." "I'll be right back." "Man, my watch was boring, too." "Well, I did have plenty to think about..." "Wanna go hunt some direwolves?" "...seriously? You're bringing up...?" "Why would you...?" The back door bursts open, and a woman races in. "Mom???" "Hi, Arthur. Vaygas, I'm glad I caught you. I'm...I'm so sorry..." "...Mrs. Regulus?" "Your father...there was...a Bio Beast..." "What?!?" "NO!" "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Vaygas..." Arthur's mother hands Vaygas a Guardsman's hat. "Your father...before he...he said he wanted you to have this. You're captain now. I'm so, so sorry...Captain." Arthur's mother leaves. Arthur and Caroline stand up as well. "Take all the time you need, Vaygas. Caroline and I need to have a talk." "..." --- The image dissolves, but the memory continues, the voices carrying through a murky fog... "Why, Caroline? Why did you go back?" "For the same reason you want to, only you won't let yourself!" "Zut'tau'ri sore Tok'zu, Zuk'kara Navahiin. It is our most basic oath. And you have betrayed it!" "And you are a traitor to the world's natural order, yet how long have I kept that secret for you?" "That...it isn't my fault. It's not a choice, Car. Not like..." "This?" Caroline laughed. "Don't you see? We all do it. One way or another. We were birthed to Chaos, and raised in Chaos, and it permeates every step we take. All I chose to do was to acknowledge who I truly am--who we truly are." "But this...Car bear, the Zut'tau'ri shun such things. We may not always succeed in our efforts, but the important thing is that we fight--" "HA! Are you really going to deny to me the truth? I know you. Your curiosity, your thirst for knowledge. And I can see your innermost desires, your secret longing. You don't fear what I've become. You want it." Arthur couldn't respond. While the mage struggled with his thoughts, Caroline slides behind him, taking him into her embrace, as she had many times before. But this time, something was different. The caring, comforting touch gone, replaced by desire, maniplulation...yet something of the old was there, a strange connection and certainty, one that had always been there. One that had been magnified with her change... Arthur pushed his way out of the embrace. The feelings were too confusing, exascerbating his own conflicted state. He turned to face her. "Car...don't do this. We can get help." Both of us. "I'm sure when he gets back, my father can--" The woman snorts derisively. That response, at least, had not changed. "Car, I...please don't make me go to the Elders. I...I love you." Tears streamed down his face as he realized the futility of his plea. The woman turned her back to Arthur. A single tear dropped down her face, though she managed to keep it otherwise blank. "I don't need help. Not yours, not anyone else's. If anything, it's you who needs mine." She looks over her shoulder, the tear-stained half of her face still hidden. "I just want you. Join me." "You won't give it up?" "No." "Even for me?" The hesitation was palpable. "...No." Arthur buried his face in his hands for a moment, then steeled himself. "Then you know what has to happen." He opens the door and, with one last look of regret at the woman he had once loved, he disappears into the night. The woman's sorrowful gaze follows him. "Yes...I do." Gathering a few of Arthur's belongings, she reads from a scroll, and vanishes in a wisp of black smoke. --- The smoke clears, and the party finds themselves back in the present...along with a very, very silent Arthur.

Damn it, stupid administratie offices. Gonna be offline for some time, sorry.

Arthur nods somewhat hesitantly, then lowers his voice to speak with Haldor. "I think I can agree to that if you can agree to stop calling people smartarses when they're only trying to share their expertise. This whole time it's seemed like the rest of us heroes are mere tools at your disposal; I'd like it if we were a little more important than that to you. Deal?"

Arthur picks up the Zoot's Plaything, and takes it over to the fallen Haldor. As the Nord regains consciousness, Arthur reaches out a hand to help the man up. "Try to understand," he says, "If I didn't care, I wouldn't bother to fight with you. Friends don't let friends destroy themselves, or walk blindly to their ruin. I don't exactly consider you a friend, and I doubt you think the same of me, but we're both Heroes. It's our duty to protect each other...even from ourselves. Do you understand?" Arthur proffers the Plaything to the Shaman. "The spoils, Party Leader." After relinquishing the dark orb to Haldor, Arthur digs near where the beast fell, to let off some stress, and then uses his telescope to try and take a closer look within the cave. "If I am not mistaken, that will be the Acerpusculum that was part of your party, Sasha, Gray Wizard. What was their name? And while we're on the subject, what is your name, Gray Wizard?" Suddenly remembering something else, Arthur offers the Gray Wizard his Healing Staff. "Here, conserve your Ether for truly important healing, this staff should still heal plenty of damage."